The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1887-03-25

est purposes woul,i lose his life" NJ
Mrs. jameson was very nervous con
cerning the proximity of the rifle; sh
begged her husband to put IL farthe
away. declaring he might touch il /,
his sleep. IAN nake the thing 90 of.
and probably kill her. .
al never move in NV sleep. so vo
needn't be scared" he told her. "if
, touch the gun. YOU can be sure il will
go off; but I'll not touch it i'm NV sleeu
sleep like an honest man, do"
So he went to bed. and thought NOR
on his daughter than of the money unde
the carpet However, he did think OF
his money sometimes. and. in fact, his
thoughts ran from that TO Jennie. as
the thoughts of the money-lender ran
from his ducats 10 his daughter.
At last he slept but not any too
soundly; dreams visited MIN, and I'M
pleasant ones they were. Vision after
vision came and faded, and his wife
was alarmed beyond measure to see his
unconscious hands 90 out again and
again. perilOusly near. sometimes. to
the loaded rifle.
1t was midnight before she slept Mt
all. but then her sleep was profound.
1t was broken at last by the strangest
and most thrilling of sounds, no less
startling than Il heavy fall and loud.
harsh, reverberating report. as though
cannon had been fired almost at her
ear
No woman is ever too frightened to
scream, and Mrs. Jameson's shrieks
were loud and shrill, as she covered
among the bedclothes; and scramb-
ling in tho darkness, and muttered
words which she could not understand.
did not tend to calm her.
There was rush of feet in the hall
without; stout shoulder sent the door
inward with crash. and Dick Levoe.
who had made this unceremonious en-
trance stood there. with light high
above his head, his Keen eyes scanning
the apartment swiftly.
1t took him moment to comprebend
and then he laughed with undesirable
amusement
The miller, clad but lightly, was
SPRAYING on tho floor a dazed wonder
in his face, the old rifle, which he had
struck as he fell. lying harmless beside
MIN. and now unloaded; window was
open. and through it came fine sheet
Oh ram; the old man was soaking wet.
ana rain-drops glistened on his hair
ana scanty garments; his bare feet were
muddy, and altogether he presented
anything but an agreeable or present.
able appearance.
What has happenedP" asked Dick.
Is soon as his mirth could be sup
pressed, as he aided the miller to his
eet
IL don't know" stammercd jane
on.
His wife, hearing voices, cautiously
'eeped out from under the coverlet
"hobbers" she cried shrilly. ''They
ave been here again. Have they shot
on. Harveyp'
"No. wife, I'm not shot," said Har- !
ey; IAN l don't think there's been
ny robbers round. Fact is, I've been
eop-walkin'" :
"What!'
I've been walkin' in my sleep, sure S
) you live!" groaned the miller. "I'm !
II wet, SO l must have gone out of (
oors. an the Lord only knows where 4
ave been or what I've been doin'. 1 O
as dreamin' of that ten pounds" I,
he broke of, and hurried to the SPOT
which he had hidden the money. 1t I,
as not there. n
You're rather old for such capers, {:
arvey," his wife was saying. q
But he didn't hear her. Very blankly O.
turned to Dick who had now re- al
sated to the threshold where Jennie
rs standing, white and startled, but v,
vishingly pretty. in
Lad. the miller said solemnly, IL w
lieve I've robbed myself. I've heard q,
such things, an now believe I've a
ne just that, anil hain't got a notion n,
here put the money" w
rs it gomez" e %
YES" "
Then you had best put on dry Il,
,thes, sir, while 1 go out and try to Gu
low the tracks you have probably left yo
the garden. Your feet are SO mud M
I'm sure you must have been there. on
report in few moments" de
A whispered sentence to Jennie at wi
door, and Dick was off to don his be
DTS, and laugh at the remembrance In
the miller's plight. pa
With lantern he went out into the WI
n, and his gravity departed again as,
aOI INC WluuOW OF the mlller'S | TN,
lmber. he discovered deeply-indented wa
tprints, which proved that Jameson Wa
! emerged like q school-boy.
The big bare feet left plain traces in
soft soil OF the garden. Dick. fol- yo
ed them on, across the road. and DE.
nd that they ceased at one corner of We;
!. A loose board had been freshly aft
laced. He drew it out, and there. Tn
he aperture, found small tin box. lar
'aking it out, he hurried back, to POT
Jameson, his wife, and Jennie up of
dressed waiting for him. too
he miller took the box eagerly. and Fal
ned it with scarcely steady hands. ed
re were the ten pounds, and under 18S
N the money of which he had al,
lght Dick had robbed him. sal
Lad, " he said, turning to his en- upl
Ie, i've been thinkin' i'll of YOU for the
last few days, an ask your par ing
III can ever do you a good turn, pae
on me-" ON
take Won at vour word els. ~ .o;J | mn